Private
Frank Fitch enlisted in the Australian
Regular Army on 30th October, 1967. He
joined 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian
Regiment on 3rd March, 1968, and was
allotted as a Stretcher Bearer in the
Medical Platoon.
On 4th April, 1969. during Operation
Overlander in Long Khanh Province, D Company
came under heavy machine gun and rocket fire
from enemy occupied bunkers at a distance of
twenty metres. During a heavy and continuous
fire fight that lasted over one hour. two
members of D Company were killed and
thirteen wounded. The leading scout, who it
was subsequently shown had been killed by
machine gun fire. was lying within ten
metres of the enemy position.
Private Fitch, discarding his own personal
weapon and carrying only his medical stores
went forward under heavy fire to assist the
leading scout. He returned to the remainder
of the leading platoon and moved fifty
metres to the flank to assist another
critically wounded soldier. At this time
Private Fitch was himself wounded in the
stomach by rocket fire.
Throughout the remainder of the action.
Fitch, although always under accurate enemy
fire continued to move around the platoon
treating the other twelve wounded soldiers.
Over two hours later, during the evacuation
of the wounded, Private Fitch was still
treating others and refusing any help to
himself. He displayed a complete disregard
for his own safety and despite his own
wounds placed the care of other wounded as
his only concern.